By Linda Elissalde
I will start with an apology for sharing our Christmas story as I am aware of how hard Christmas was for our dear friends on Bolivar Peninsula. No electricity and broken water pipes do not a happy holiday make. Since no family relatives could visit us, we decided to take our own vacation. Marcel and I spent the Christmas holidays in San Antonio, Texas.

The DRURY PLAZA HOTEL on Riverwalk is one of my favorite hotels. My friend Yondle Climer Davis and I shared 20 years of traveling the world. We have stayed in some famous hotels, little unique hotels, Tree Tops Hotel, Mongolian yurts, and a camp at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro among others. My daughter Kitty Elissalde discovered Drury Plaza. It opened in 1929 as Alamo National Bank. The earlier decor was kept when it became a hotel. With Christmas decorations and music, I feel as if I have stepped into a 1940s’ movie.

Drury Plaza Hotel on the Riverwalk

Buffet breakfasts and dinners along with 3 free drinks every night are included in your hotel price. AND, dogs are most welcome. However, it is the superior staff that makes this place extra special. Margarita, Rachel, Maricio, and Tammy along with the lady bartender and the gentleman bartender who danced as he created drinks are some of the ones I recall. However, all employees are the most kindly and helpful hotel workers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

El Mercado

Location! Location! Location! Drury Plaza is on Riverwalk and within walking distance of the mall in one direction and El Mercado in the other. Our joys included watching, from our hotel terrace, a history of Texas light and sound show displayed on San Fernando Cathedral. We devoured delicious luncheons at La Margarita, Domingo Cafe, and Iron Chef. Christmas Eve found us at historic St. Marks’ Episcopal Church for a beautiful service. We planned to Urber back to our hotel, but church members Jim and Jane graciously offer us a ride. Again, we met such nice folk.

Good food along the way.

History of Texas Lights and Sound show on San Fernando Cathedral

Christmas morning breakfast attire

Our last day meant a riverboat ride. Barb, who steered the craft and filled us in on historic sights, was really great. We honored Service Veterans, First Responders and sang, “Happy Birthday,” to Dee Dee on our cruise. To close our grand holiday, we went outside that last night to revel in a sparkling display of lights along Riverwalk. We stopped in Richmond on our way home for a fun visit with former Crystal Beach resident Mary Ellen Smith. Sunshine Cottage made it through the holiday trials with only one small break in a downstairs water pipe. Now recorded in our memories is this delightful 2022 holiday trip to San Antonio, Texas. It was indeed OUR MAGICAL CHRISTMAS!

Riverboat cruise. Lady in pink is Dee Dee, the birthday lady.

Oh, those gorgeous Riverwalk lights.